Martial Law in Philippines Analysis

Martial Law in Philippines Angelique M. Musni BSED Physical Science 3-1 Mr. Roel Robles History Analysis October 12, 2012 Martial Law in Philippines I. Introduction Martial Law was proclaimed by Ferdinand Marcos the 6th president of the Philippines on September 21, 1972. Dictatorial in which he will able to control, rule, and manipulate people through his power. He was a topnotch law student. Since he argue at the Supreme Court accusing him as a murderer, because of his ability as a sharp shooter. He quickly gained supporters because of winning against it. Even in his love life he considered it as a political.
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He married Former First Lady Imelda Marcos for his own intention. He has his own plan that’s why he proclaimed Martial Law. He wanted to stay as a president for longer time. II. Content In a documentary I watched Garcia (1997). He said that 1969, elections came around when Marcos run for his second term, and that was the dirtiest, fraudulent ever. When that election came rise in dollar out bared. That was the most expensive election. On 1971 after the Plaza Bombing, Filipinos don’t have trust, due to disappointment to Marcos. Marcos opponents in that election won that’s Liberal party in which people who became the victim of Plaza Bombing.

On 1972 all of the people contradict to Marcos or his enemies were arrested by police and the military. Including Benigno Aquino became his mortal enemy. Many people arrested. Nobody knows what is happening because all of the media controlled by Marcos all you can hear is just music. The government set Plebiscite to produced new constitution but soon he realized that he might lost because all people are in favor for Benigno and Diokno so he changed it to voting through raising hands, even kids were allowed to vote and then they will going to ask, who wants free food, because of poverty many people will raised they’re hands.
Marcos did consult to Richard Nixon about his plan. Richard Nixon didn’t stop him because Richard wanted to prevent the spread of communism. New constitution formed under military rule, whose purpose is only for him. All of the people against him were go to jail, and worst is killed there are also Filipina Women who got raped. Media were being controlled by him, only government can control media only favorable news about them were being reported. At first country showing good economy, but as soon the truth revealed, continuous corruption occurred. People don’t have right to express their freedom.
The result of this is the decreasing economy, increasing debts. Support of America Government vanished as they realized that Marcos didn’t works towards democracy. Many Filipino people suffer in this authoritarian government. Armed Forces of the Philippines are the one who accompanied the rule of Marcos. Even his friend Primitivo Mijares chief propagandists on the regime of Martial Law of Marcos, but sooner became the enemy of Kokoy Romualdez, brother of Imelda Marcos. He even breaks off unto regime of Martial Law. Primitivo wrote a book named “The Conjugal Dictatorship”.
He exposed the truth behind Marcos regime. Including his love life affair to an American artist do exposed in the book. Later Mijares disappeared many people believed that Marcos agents at U. S. killed him. Until now the body of him has not been found. Incidents about abusing people don’t reveal on regime of Marcos. All of the media were remained working but they wouldn’t allow to revealed bad side about Marcos. He even abused many people and killed many innocent people. It was being proved that Family Marcos did abuse many people on the contrary they should pay ten thousandths people in return.
Until now Marcos Family didn’t accept that they all abused many people Marcos stated that he will make the Philippines a Land reform area, he will going to distribute it on peasants. At the end of his term not more than four percent get their land. He even stole and get some of the companies of Lopez Family, Lopez Family were rich, owning lots of company, Marcos wanted it all, Geny Lopez was accuse to assassinate Marcos that’s why he arrested him. For Geny’s freedom Marcos ask to give the companies to him in return. Lopez, gave what he said, But Marcos didn’t give the freedom for Geny.
He fooled Lopez instead. He won his freedom when he escaped from prison. Marcos makes a group consisting of his friends and relatives called Cronies. This group aims to have all the wealth in Philippines. His wife Imelda Marcos did enjoy the luxury of her life, spending money of the government. . Imelda Marcos stated that there were no Filipino’s being executed or murdered at Martial Law times. Imelda Marcos been called as an Iron Butterfly because of her beauty and toughness of steal. She’s been the secret weapon of Marcos. She became the minister of Human Settlements.
She signed deals on different country. She even put all up some buildings, many people said that Imelda spent 1 million US dollar, just for her daughter’s wedding. Involve the renovation of the said Church for the wedding after several months due to earthquake the Church collapsed. Another one is the Manila Film Center, this building been rushed for the said occasion. According to the reports the two floors collapse and many construction workers died and even buried on the Film Center, Imelda Marcos denied that there are no people buried at the Film Center she said she never left dead people there.
Today Manila Film Center is an empty useless building and now, planned to demolish. For sort of reason U. S America under Jimmy Carter, Marcos push to do the National Assembly Elections. With that Benigno Aquino allowed to run but not to campaign, but he had given a chance to appear on Television on March 10, 1978. With the help of Benigno Aquino and others they formed a new alliance that is against Marcos Regime which was named “Laban”. They believed that many of their votes won’t be counted so they think that they should make a noise barrage. This noise barrage last for one night.
Benigno Aquino didn’t wont at the election because of cheating. The rich Filipino exiles in US make a movement which was called “Light A Fire Movement“ and “April 6 Movement” this aim to strengthen many Filipino’s to write and speak for their freedom. 1918 Philippines economy got weak. U. S. president also changed and that is Ronald Reagen. Santo Papa will visit Philippines so Marcos removed the Martial Law and do the Presidential Election. Marcos won, against his opponent. Through cheating he won and the rumor was Marcos was the one who funded the opponent so that people would believe that was true.
Nothing changed when it comes to his power. Marcos forced to give freedom to Benigno Aquino because of his sickness. He’s afraid Benigno Aquino would die in prison and blame by many people. After that, Benigno continue fighting at U. S. Benigno Aquino planned to go home in Philippines but he didn’t allow by Marcos regime, He faked his passport for him to be able to travel. By the time the airplane landed he was shot by the gun. Former Senator Aquino died. Many Filipino’s attended his burial and gave their Sympathy. This Reason made Filipino people to continue and fight for their freedom.
This lead to People Power I. Marcos did surrender because of threat that people will kill him. Corazon Aquino wife of Sen. Benigno Aquino, give way for the restoration of Philippine Democracy. III. Analysis In an article I read Bajala (2012). He said that he have fully realized the merciless oppression of the dictator. He has known some of the countless stories to be told by prominent characters and also ordinary individuals of their experiences during one of the dark ages in the Philippine history. He has seen the struggle of the country to regain democracy.
Filipinos has fought for it since the past. From the Spaniards, to the Japanese then to the Americans. Filipino had won them all. The Martial Law is never an exception. The people once again showed their love for freedom, both in peaceful and active rebellions. We had shown our unity as we stand for our rights. We will always be fighting of whatever forces that might hinder us from our goal, to live progressively in a democratic nation. Well for me, Marcos is like Hitler who only wants satisfaction with their own self.
A very selfish man who doesn’t even try to think about others, even said to people that he want only to serve his own country but revealed that he only want power. Filipino people ones proved that we can overcome many struggle. I have seen that lots of Filipino at Martial Law continued fighting just to get their freedom and regain democracy. Filipino proved that not all Filipino’s became afraid on fighting back their freedom. Even they suffered a lot. They still have hopes to continue. Marcos, became too greed that he doesn’t even think others life. I felt angry to Marcos. And felt Pity for people who abused by Marcos.
I am proud of what Benigno Aquino and his wife done in our country. Benigno even made sacrifice also his wife for the democracy of Filipino people. They are heroes. Heroes, who don’t hesitate on helping they’re own fellowmen. They don’t show fear, instead they became brave and make Filipino their inspiration. So we Filipino’s we should protect and give importance to the democracy given us by late Benigno and Cory. They were one’s a Filipino who aims to have a peaceful and prosperity life. We should thank them for what they did. Reference: Garcia, H. ., Apostol, E. ., et al (1997) “Batas Militar”